>>> GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.
THE 26th, 2021 MEETING OF THE
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL WILL COME
TO ORDER.
IT IS 2:00 P.M..
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL?
>> JUAREZ?
>> HERE.
THE MIKE LEWIS.
>> PRESENT.
>> MORALES?
>> HERE.
>> SAWANT?
>> PRESENT.
>> STRAUSS?
HERE.
>> HERBOLD?
>> HERE.
>> EIGHT PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AS WE MENTIONED THIS MORNING
DURING COUNCIL BRIEFING, WE DO
HAVE A PRESENTATION THAT IS
BEING BROUGHT TO US BY
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD THERE
WERE TWO COUNCILMEMBERS WERE
PRESENT NOW THAT WERE NOT
PRESENT OR UNAVAILABLE DURING
COUNCIL BRIEFING.
I DID WANT TO GIVE BOTH
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT AND JUAREZ
AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY IN OPEN
PUBLIC SESSION WHETHER OR NOT
THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEIR
SIGNATURE ADDED TO THE
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING APRIL
2021 AS SEXUAL ASSAULT
AWARENESS MONTH.
I'LL JUST CALL ON EACH OF YOU
BY NAME AND YOU CAN INDICATE
WHETHER YOU FIGHT FOR SIGNATURE
ADDED TO THE PROCLAMATION.
SO WANT?
>> YES PLEASE ADD MY SIGNATURE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> JUAREZ?
>> YES.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IT'S TWO ADDITIONAL SIGNATURES.
I DO APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO ASK THE QUESTION.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, AGAIN
HAS THE PROCLAMATION
RECOGNIZING APRIL 2021 AS
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH.
SHE'S GOING TO PRESENT THAT AND
THEN WE WILL ALLOW FOR COMMENTS
FROM ANY COUNCILMEMBERS.
AFTER COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS,
CONCLUDE, WE WILL SUSPEND THE
RULES TO ALLOW OUR GUEST TO
ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION AND
PROVIDE COMMENTS.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
OVER TO YOU TO PRESENT THE
PROCLAMATION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
LET'S SEE HERE.
SO, IT IS APRIL.
APRIL IS THE MONTH OF THE YEAR
THAT WE ANNUALLY RECOGNIZE
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH.
AS CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE WITH
RESPONSIBILITY FOR HUMAN
SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY, I'M
PROUD TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO BRING FORWARD THIS
PROCLAMATION DECLARING APRIL TO
BE SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS
MONTH.
COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY THIS MORNING TO
AFFIX THEIR SIGNATURES.
THE MAYOR HAS CONCURRED AND THE
CLERKS HAVE PREPARED A FINAL AM
ASSIGNED PROCLAMATION.
THE PANDEMIC HAS TURNED
EVERYTHING ABOUT OUR LIVES
UPSIDE DOWN.
STATEWIDE, ORGANIZATIONS THAT
ASSIST SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS
REPORT THAT DEMAND FOR THEIR
SERVICES SURGED TO 50 TO 75%
ABOVE NORMAL LEVELS LAST YEAR.
IN A STATEWIDE SURVEY, THEY
REPORTED FINDING AMONG
SURVIVORS, THAT FINDING MORE
ACUTE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS,
FINANCIAL LOSSES, HOUSING
INSTABILITY, AND LACK OF ACCESS
TO OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, REFUGEE
AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES, ARE
MORE SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED.
SURVIVORS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING
NEW OBSTACLES TO FINDING HELP.
RANGING FROM LACK OF PRIVACY,
TELEHEALTH, OR CALLING A HOTLINE
, LACK OF TECHNOLOGY TO ACCESS
SERVICES OR OBTAIN A PROTECTION
ORDER ONLINE.
FEAR OF CONTACTING CORONAVIRUS
IF THEY SEEK IN PERSON CARE.
YOUNG PEOPLE ARE CUT OFF FROM
TRUSTED ADULTS AND TEACHERS
THEY OTHERWISE MIGHT ASK FOR
HELP.
THE FEDERAL ARPA RELIEF PACKAGE
INCLUDES $450 MILLION FOR
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL
ASSAULT SERVICES, INCLUDING
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY SPECIFIC
SERVICES.
A REALLY IMPORTANT RECOGNITION
OF THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACT ON
SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.
I APPRECIATE THAT COUNCIL
SUPPORTED ADDING FUNDING FOR
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE SERVICES
TO OUR OWN RESOLUTION ABOUT MAY
DAY FUNDING PRIORITIES A
COUPLE WEEKS AGO NOW.
IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
TO REACH SOCIETIES WITH THE
MESSAGE THAT YOUR EXPENSE
MATTERS, AND HELP IS AVAILABLE
TO YOU.
AS THE PROXIMATE CURRENT SIZE,
KING COUNTY IS HOME TO MANY
ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE
CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY
SIGNIFICANT SERVICES FOR
SURVIVORS FROM VARIOUS RACIAL,
ETHNIC, FAITH AND CULTURAL
COMMUNITIES.
SURVIVORS WHO ARE IMMIGRANTS
AND REFUGEES.
SURVIVORS ARE LGBTQ, AND
SURVIVORS WITH DISABILITIES.
THESE SERVICES ARE CRITICAL TO
EFFECTIVELY RESPOND TO THE
SPECIFIC NEEDS AND MANY
SURVIVORS FACE.
THE BEST PLACE TO START IS THE
24 HOUR RESOURCE LINE AT 88899
VOICE.
RUN BY KING COUNTY SEXUAL
ASSAULT RESOURCE CENTER.
TRAINED ADVOCATES WILL ANSWER
YOUR CALL.
IT WILL PROVIDE CRISIS
INFORMATION, INTERVENTION AND
REFERRALS.
ONGOING SUPPORT IS 24 HOURS A
DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK WITH IN
LANGUAGE SERVICE AVAILABLE.
I WANT TO THANK THE SEATTLE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION.
THE KING COUNTY SEXUAL ASSAULT
RESOURCE CENTER.
AND THE COALITIONS ENDING
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE FOR THEIR
WORK ON TODAY'S PROCLAMATION.
WE HAVE SOME SPECIAL GUESTS
JOINING US TODAY TO ACCEPT THE
PROCLAMATION.
THEY MAY SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS.
WE HAVE SOPHIA LEE OF THE
SEATTLE WOMEN'S COMMISSION.
AND ONE OTHER GUEST.
I JUST WANT TO AGAIN THANK YOU
BOTH FOR BEING HERE VIRTUALLY
WITH COUNCIL.
TO MARK THIS REALLY IMPORTANT
MOMENT.
WITH THE PROCLAMATION.
THE SEATTLE COUNCIL, AND THE
MAYOR DECLARE APRIL TO BE
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR
LEADERSHIP AND FOR ACCEPTING
THIS PROCLAMATION.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD.
COLLEAGUES, ARE THERE ANY OTHER
COMMENTS ON THE PROCLAMATION
BEFORE WE INVITE SOPHIA AND THE
OTHER GUEST TO SHARE SOME
COMMENTS WITH US?
I'M NOT SEEING ANY HANDS
RAISED, SO I'M GOING TO GO
AHEAD AND SUSPEND THE RULES TO
HEAR FROM OUR GUESTS.
THE COUNCIL ROLES WILL BE
SUSPENDED TO ALLOW THE GUESTS
TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION AND
PROVIDE REMARKS.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE
COUNCIL ROLES ARE SUSPENDED.
I WANT TO WARMLY WELCOME OUR
GUESTS.
I'M GOING TO HAND IT OVER TO
YOU BOTH TO PROVIDE REMARKS TO
THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE
VIEWING PUBLIC.
WELCOME.
THEN, DO YOU WANT TO GO FIRST,
OR DO YOU WANT TO GO FIRST?
>> I CAN GO FIRST.
>> OKAY, GO AHEAD.
WELCOME.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
I AM THE RESPONSE COORDINATOR.
A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT
SERVES THE CITY OF SEATTLE WITH
SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS
SERVICES.
TO SUPPORT AND PROVIDE
OPPORTUNITY TO HEAL FROM
RECOVER FROM SEXUAL TRAUMA.
IT ALSO PROVIDES BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH,
ADDICTION TREATMENT,
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, AND
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES.
HAS BEEN SERVING THE SEATTLE
COMMUNITY FOR 43 YEARS.
I AM HERE TO ACCEPT THE SEXUAL
ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
PROCLAMATION.
ON BEHALF OF OUR ORGANIZATION,
WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING A
PART OF THIS SOLUTION TO SEXUAL
VIOLENCE.
APRIL IS A TIME TO COME
TOGETHER TO BUILD AWARENESS
ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT AND
RECOGNIZE THE COURAGE OF OUR
SURVIVORS.
WE ARE GRATEFUL, WE AND OTHER
COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS REAFFIRM OUR
COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING
SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.
AND CAN BE THERE FOR EVERY WHO
FINDS THE STRENGTH AND COURAGE
TO DISCLOSE THEIR ABUSE.
HEALING AND RECOVERY ARE
POSSIBLE.
ENDING SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS
POSSIBLE.
EVERYONE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP
AND AWARENESS TO HELP THE
COMMUNITY UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT
SEXUAL ASSAULT AND RESOURCES
THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR HELP AND
INFORMATION.
WE CAN CHANGE WHAT WE CAN TALK
ABOUT.
BY TALKING ABOUT SEXUAL
VIOLENCE, WE SEND AN IMPORTANT
MESSAGE TO THE SURVIVORS.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
YOUR STORY MATTERS.
OUR ORGANIZATION, STANDS WITH
THE COURAGEOUS SURVIVORS AND IS
COMMITTED TO EQUALLY SERVICES
FOR MULTILINGUAL AND THANKS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
APPRECIATE HAVING YOU HERE AND
APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT
YOUR ORGANIZATION DOES WITHIN
THE COMMUNITY.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR
STRONG WORDS.
SOPHIA, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE
ANYTHING WITH US?
>> YES, SURE, THANK YOU.
EVERY 73 SECONDS SOMEONE IS
SEXUALLY ASSAULTED IN THE
UNITED STATES.
EVERY 73 SECONDS.
BY THE END OF THIS WEEK THAT
WILL BE AROUND THREE MORE
PEOPLE.
SEXUAL ASSAULT IS MORE THAN
JUST RAPE, IT IS ALSO HUMAN
TRAFFICKING, HARASSMENT,
REVENGE , COERCION AND
UNSOLICITED MOVES.
SEXUAL ASSAULT IS NOT ONLY
PHYSICAL ABUSE, BUT MENTAL AND
EMOTIONAL ABUSE AS WELL.
IT AFFECTS EVERY RACE, GENDER,
SEXUAL ORIENTATION,
SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUND.
THE PEOPLE WHO COMMIT THESE
HEINOUS ACTS ATTEMPT TO STEAL
POWERS FROM OTHERS.
WHILE SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL
ASSAULT ARE NOT POWERLESS, THEY
DO FACE A STIGMA.
STIGMA THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO
BEAR.
THEY FACE VICTIM BLAMING,
SHAMING, SHUNNING, AND CYBER
BULLYING.
THIS STIGMA, AND THE CRUELTIES
SURVIVORS FACE ARE SOME OF THE
FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO
MAKING SEXUAL CRIMES AMONG THE
MOST UNDERREPORTED CRIMES.
WE NEED TO BELIEVE IN SURVIVORS,
AND SUPPORT THEM.
WE NEED TO STEP UP AND SAY THAT
SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT
ARE NOT OKAY.
WHEN YOUR FRIENDS TALK TO WOMEN
WHO HAVE ALREADY SAID NO, THAT
IS THE TIME TO SPEAK UP.
WHEN YOUR FRIENDS MAKE PEOPLE
MOSTLY UNCOMFORTABLE, THAT IS
THE TIME TO SPEAK UP.
IT IS OUR ACTIONS AND CULTURE
THAT ALLOW SEXUAL ASSAULT TO BE
PRO--- PERVASIVE.
WE CAN ALL DO BETTER TO STOP
SEXUAL ASSAULT AND IT STARTS
WITH CHANGING WHAT WE DEEM
SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE.
WE MUST STOP CONDONING
HARASSMENT.
WE MUST BEGIN RESPECTING EACH
OTHER.
SEATTLE AS A WHOLE MUST COME
TOGETHER AND COMMIT TO
PREVENTING SEXUAL ASSAULT AND
SEXUAL HARASSMENT, SUPPORT
SURVIVORS, AND MAKING SURE THAT
THOSE THAT AFFECT THESE ACTS
ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
AS COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD
MENTIONED, THE PANDEMIC HAS
MADE IT MORE CHALLENGING FOR
SURVIVORS TO GET RESOURCES AND
THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.
VICTIMS ARE RELUCTANT TO GO TO
THE HOSPITAL TO GET EXPOSURE
RISK OF COVID.
CRISIS CENTERS AND SOCIAL
SERVICES PROGRAMS PROVIDERS
HAVE STRUGGLED TO PROVIDE THE
NECESSARY IN-PERSON RESOURCES
DURING THIS TIME OF SOCIAL
DISTANCING AND VIRTUAL MEETING.
SURVIVORS FIND THEMSELVES MORE
ISOLATED THAN EVER DURING THIS
TIME, WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO
CONNECT WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
DIRECTLY.
WE MUST STRENGTHEN OUR EFFORTS
TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS WHOSE
TROUBLES ARE AGGREGATED BY THE
ONGOING PANDEMIC.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CITY,
THE SEATTLE WOMEN'S COMMISSION
HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS
PROCLAMATION.
WE HOPE TO RAISE AWARENESS,
SUPPORT, SURVIVORS AND SEND A
CLEAR MESSAGE TO EVERYONE THAT
SEXUAL ASSAULT IN ALL FORMS IS
NOT ACCEPTABLE.
AS A CITY, WE WILL COME
TOGETHER AND MEET ALL THE
SURVIVORS WITH UNDERSTANDING
AND SUPPORT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
FOR YOUR REMARKS.
THANK YOU TO BOTH OF YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING
WITH US, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY
THANK YOU FOR DOING THE WORK
THAT YOU ALL DO IN LIFTING UP
THE VOICES THAT WE OFTEN TIMES
DON'T HEAR.
WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THE
INSIDIOUS REALITY OF VIOLENCE,
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE WITHIN
OUR COMMUNITY.
REALLY APPRECIATE YOU SPENDING
SOME TIME OUT OF YOUR BUSY DAY
WITH US TODAY TO ACCEPT THIS
IMPORTANT PROCLAMATION AND TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK THAT IS
STILL YET TO BE DONE TO
MEANINGFULLY ADDRESS GENDER-
BASED VIOLENCE WITHIN OUR
COMMUNITY.
SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING
WITH US.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK.
YOU ARE OF COURSE WELCOME TO
LEAVE THE MEETING NOW, AND WE
WILL GO AHEAD AND DO OTHER
ITEMS OF BUSINESS IN OUR AGENDA.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING
WITH US.
REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
>> OKAY FOLKS.
WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GO
TO OUR NEXT ITEM OF BUSINESS,
WHICH IS APPROVAL OF THE
MINUTES.
THE MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS OF APRIL 12th AND 19,
2021 HAVE BEEN REVIEWED.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE
MINUTES WILL BE SIGNED.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE
MINUTES ARE BEING SIGNED.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR WILL BE ADOPTED.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR IS ADOPTED.
COLLEAGUES, WE ARE GOING TO
MOVE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS
MENTIONED DURING COUNCIL
BRIEFING THIS MORNING.
CONCILMEMBER SAWANT DOES HAVE
AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGENDA FOR
TODAY.
SO, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND
MOVE IT.
THEN, WE'LL HAVE A SECOND AND
THEN COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT CAN
MAKE OR MENTION TO AMEND.
I MOVED TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.
I'M GOING TO HAND IT OVER TO
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT SO SHE
CAN MAKE A MOTION.
>> THANK YOU.
I MOVED TO AMEND TODAY'S AGENDA
BY ADDING RESOLUTION 32004,
TITLED A RESOLUTION
PRIORITIZING PEOPLE OVER THE
PROFITS OF PHARMACEUTICAL
COMPANIES SUPPORTIG THE
PRODUCTION OF COVID-19
PRODUCTION VACCINE AROUND THE
WORLD.
URGING PRESIDENT BIDEN TO AN.
TRIPS AGREEMENT FOR THE
PREVENTION CONTAINMENT AND
TREATMENT OF COVID-19 AT THE
WTO.
BY PLACING IT IN THE ADOPTION
OF THE RESOLUTION SECTION ON
THE AGENDA.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU.
IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED
TO AMEND THE AGENDA BY ADDING
RESOLUTION 32004.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE AMENDMENT?
>> IF I CAN JUST ADD A FEW
THINGS.
>> SURE.
>> AS I EXPLAINED THAT THE
COUNCIL BRIEFING THIS MORNING,
THIS RESOLUTION IS TIME
SENSITIVE AND WITH A NEW ROUND
OF WTO MEETINGS APPROACHING,
INCLUDING A FORMAL TRIPS
GATHERING PLANNED FOR APRIL
30th, AND A GENERAL COUNCIL
MEETING DUE IN EARLY MAY, WE
WANT THIS RESOLUTION TO JOIN
THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL AS
PART OF A GLOBAL EFFORT BY
ACTIVISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN
SUPPORT OF THE WAIVER TO MAKE
SURE THAT VACCINES ARE
AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
I WILL RESERVE THE REST OF MY
COMMENTS FOR WHEN WE DISCUSSED
THE AGENDA ITEM.
I URGE COUNCILMEMBERS TO
SUPPORT IT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON THE
AMENDMENT TO THE AGENDA?
HEARING NONE, WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
AMENDMENT TO TODAY'S AGENDA?
>> AYE.
>> LEWIS?
>> YES.
>> MORALES?
>> YES.
>> PEDERSEN?
>> YES.
>> SAWANT?
>> YES.
>> STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> HERBOLD QUESTION MARK
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALEZ?
>> AYE.
THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE
AGENDA IS AMENDED.
RESOLUTION 32004 ADDED.
ARE THERE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS
ON THE AGENDA?
HEARING NONE, ON THE AGENDA,
THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE
AGENDA IS ADOPTED AS AMENDED.
COLLEAGUES, I'M GOING TO GO
AHEAD AND START PUBLIC COMMENT
AT THIS TIME.
WE WILL OPEN THE REMOTE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEMS ON THE
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA,
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR, AND THE WORK PROGRAM.
I WANT TO CONTINUE TO THANK
EVERYONE FOR THEIR ONGOING
PATIENCE AND COOPERATION AS WE
CONTINUE TO OPERATE THIS REMOTE
PUBLIC COMMENT SYSTEM.
IT REMAINS THE STRONG INTENT OF
THE CITY COUNCIL TAB REMOTE
UBLIC COMMENT REGULARLY
INCLUDED ON MEETING AGENDAS.
HOWEVER, AS A REMINDER THE CITY
COUNCIL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO
END OR ELIMINATE THESE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIODS AT ANY POINT IF
WE DEEM THE SYSTEM IS BEING
ABUSED OR IS NO LONGER
SUITABLE.
FOR ALLOWING OUR MEETINGS TO BE
CONDUCTED EFFICIENTLY AND
EFFECTIVELY.
I'LL MODERATE TODAY'S PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD IN THE FOLLOWING
MANNER.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR
THIS MEETING WAS NOTICED THAT
20 MINUTES.
UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES THE
SPEAKER WOULD BE ALLOWED UP TO
TWO MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE CITY
COUNCIL.
HOWEVER, WE HAVE OVER 35 PEOPLE
WHO SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT TODAY.
SO AS A RESULT I'M GOING TO
EXTEND THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD, BUT SHORT NEED SPEAKERS
A LOT OF TIME FROM TWO MINUTES
TO ONE MINUTE EACH.
SO COLLEAGUES, IF THERE IS NO
OBJECTION, THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD WILL BE EXTENDED FROM 20
TO 30 MINUTES TOTAL.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS
EXTENDED TO A TOTAL OF 30
MINUTES.
AGAIN, EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE
ONE MINUTE TO ADDRESS THE CITY
COUNCIL.
SPEAKERS ARE CALLED UPON IN THE
ORDER IN WHICH THEY REGISTERED
TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT ON
THE WEBSITE.
EACH SPEAKER MUST CALL IN FROM
THE PHONE NUMBER USED FOR THIS
REGISTRATION AND USING THE
MEETING PHONE NUMBER I.D.
AND PASSCODE THAT WAS EMAILED
TO THEM UPON CONFIRMATION.
THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN THE
GENERAL MEETING GLISAN LINE
CALL IN INFORMATION.
AGAIN, I WILL CALL IN ON EACH
SPEAKER BY NAME AND IN THE
ORDER IN WHICH THEY REGISTERED
IF YOU HAVEN'T YET REGISTERED
TO SPEAK BUT WOULD LIKE TO, YOU
CAN SIGN UP BEFORE THE END OF
PUBLIC COMMENT BY GOING TO THE
COUNCIL WEBSITE.
PUBLIC COMMENT LINK IS ALSO ON
THE AGENDA.
ONCE I CALL YOUR NAME, STAFF
WILL UNMUTE YOUR MICROPHONE AND
YOU WILL HEAR THE AUTOMATIC
PROMPT.
THIS MEANS THAT IT IS YOUR TURN
TO SPEAK, BUT BEFORE YOU BEGIN
SPEAKING, YOU MUST PRESS STAR
SIX IN ORDER TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
PLEASE BEGIN SPEAKING BY
STATING YOUR NAME, THE ITEM
THAT YOU ARE ADDRESSING, AND AS
A REMINDER PUBLIC COMMENT
SHOULD RELATE TO AN ITEM ON
TODAY'S AGENDA.
THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR ARE THE COUNCIL'S WORK
PROGRAM.
SPEAKERS ARE GOING TO HEAR A
TIME WHEN 10 SECONDS I LEFT.
OF YOUR ALLOTTED TIME.
ONCE YOU HAVE THE TIME, I'D ASK
THAT YOU PLEASE BEGIN TO WRAP
UP YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
IF YOU DON'T WRAP UP YOUR
PUBLIC COMMENT WITHIN THE
ALLOTTED TIME PROVIDED, YOUR
MICROPHONE WILL BE MUTED TO
ALLOW US TO CALL ON THE NEXT
SPEAKER.
ONCE YOU'VE COMPLETED YOUR
PUBLIC COMMENT WE ASK THAT YOU
PLEASE DISCONNECT FROM THE LINE
AND IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE
FOLLOWING YOU CAN DO SO BY
SEATTLE CHANNEL OR ANYONE OF
THE LISTING OPTIONS ON THE
LISTENING AGENDA.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW
OPEN.
IT IS TO: 22, SO WE WILL GO
UNTIL 2:52 P.M.
APPROXIMATELY.
THE FIRST TWO NAMES ON MY LIST.
>> GOOD MORNING.
OR AFTERNOON.
CONTINUING POLICE ABUSE AND
FAILED ACCOUNTABILITY.
I'M OFTEN ASKED WHAT EXPLAINS
THE COUNCILMEMBERS REPEATED
STRONG EMOTIONAL RESPONSES TO
THE POLICE MURDER OF GEORGE
FLOYD WITH THE NEAR-TOTAL
SILENCE AND TOTAL INACTION ON
THE RECENT SPD MURDERS OF
OTHERS.
I JUST LAUNCHED A TWITTER POLL
TO TRY TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION
WITH A POSSIBLE EXPEDITION
BEING THEY WERE BAD PEOPLE.
THE SPD IS ALWAYS RIGHT.
I DIDN'T NOTICE HE DIED.
LASTLY, THE SPD HAS REFORMED,
AND WE HAVE ADEQUATE
ACCOUNTABILITY SO THERE CAN'T
BE A PROBLEM.
I WOULD INVITE THE
COUNCILMEMBERS TO COMMENT ON
TWITTER IF THEY THINK THERE ARE
OTHER REASONS FOR THEIR
COMPLACENT AND SILENCE.
PERSONALLY I BELIEVE THE LAST
OPTION TO BE THE EXPLANATION
WITH THE DISSENTING COGNITIVE
DISSONANCE CREATED BY
QUESTIONING OUR ACCOUNTABILITY
SYSTEM IS SO GREAT THAT YOU
JUST ASSUME THESE SPD MURDERS
MUST BE JUSTIFIED, THEREBY
AVOIDING QUESTION.
WE NEED FULL CIVILIAN CONTROL
OF THE POLICE NOW.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I'M A RENTER IN THE CENTRAL
DISTRICT.
I WANT TO URGE CENTRAL COUNCIL
STATING THAT BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION SHOULD VACCINE.
OF VACCINE EQUITY SHOULD
CONCERN ALL OF US.
SEATTLE ISN'T A CLOSED,
ISOLATED SYSTEM.
360,000 CASES IN A SINGLE DAY
THIS PASSED WEEK, FORCING THE
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO PLAN TO
SHARE THE DOSES OF THE
ASTRAZENECA VACCINE.
IT IS STILL WOEFULLY INADEQUATE.
I HOPE THE GLOBAL SOUTH.
MORE COMPANIES FOR VACCINE
ACCESS.
THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO
MANUFACTURE THE DOSES THEY NEED.
THERE ISN'T A CREDIBLE REASON
TO NOT PASSES RESOLUTION.
IS ALSO NO CREDIBLE WAY TO
MINIMIZE THE IMPACT.
SEATTLE A NATIONAL AND
INTERNATIONAL PRECEDENT.
IF THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY
COUNCIL DO BELIEVE IN PEOPLE
OVER PROFIT, YOU SHOULD PASS
THIS RESOLUTION IMMEDIATELY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
I AM A MEMBER OF THE COALITION
OF SEATTLE AND MID-AMERICAN
SPIRIT I URGED THE COUNCIL TO
PASS COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION WHILE CIVIL SOCIETY
IS FOCUSED ON SUSPENSION OF THE
TRIPS PROVISION, LET ME
HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT PHARMA
COMPANIES ARE RACKETEERING THIS
VACCINE THE MRNA TECHNIQUE
ITSELF WAS A PRODUCT OF
TAXPAYER-FUNDED RESEARCH.
OXFORD UNIVERSITY WAS STRONG-
ARMED INTO SELLING ITS I.D.
TO ASTRAZENECA BY OUR VERY OWN
BILL GATES.
GRABBING PUBLIC GOODS AND
SELLING IT BACK TO THE PUBLIC
AT INFLATED PRODUCTS IS NOTHING
SHORT OF. THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
MUST STOP BEING AN AGENT OF
THESE USERS AND RACKETEERS, AND
MUST PERMANENTLY -- AND OPENLY
SHARE TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT UP IS DANIEL CAVANAUGH.
>> I'M A MEMBER OF SOCIALIST
ALTERNATIVE AND A RENTER IN THE
-- COUNCILMEMBERS NEED TO
URGENTLY PASS COUNCILMEMBER
SAWAN'S RESOLUTION.
THE COUNCIL CAN HAVE AN IMPACT
ON GLOBAL ISSUES.
LAST YEAR OUR MOVEMENT WON A
COUNCIL RESOLUTION AGAINST
RACIST CITIZENSHIP LAWS IN
INDIA.
FIVE U.S. CITIES FOLLOWED SUIT
AND IT PLAYED A ROLE IN
INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE.
LIFTING THESE PATENTS IS URGENT.
THE LONGER THE VIRUS EXISTS
ANYWHERE, THE MORE OF A THREAT
IT IS TO ENDING THE PANDEMIC
EVERYWHERE WITH THE POSSIBILITY
OF VACCINE RESISTANT STRAINS.
TRUMP BLOCKED THE VACCINE
ADDING WAIVER IN DECEMBER, BUT
NOW WE'VE HAD A NEW
ADMINISTRATION FOR THREE
MONTHS.
WE NEED TO PASS THIS WITHOUT
DELAY.
TO EVERYONE LISTENING AND,
CAPITALISM HAS COMPLETELY
FAILED TO DEAL WITH THE
PANDEMIC.
VACCINE COMPANIES ARE PUTTING
PROFITS OVER HEALTH.
WE NEED TO FIGHT FOR EVERY
VICTORY WE CAN WIN TODAY.
THE HUGE PROBLEM WE FACE CAN'T
BE SOLVED ON CAPITALISM.
WE NEED TO GET ORGANIZED TO
FIGHT FOR A SOCIALIST WORLD.
>> NEXT UP IS MARIE NOT.
>> OKAY.
THANKS FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON THE
TRIPS WAIVER RESOLUTION FOR
COVID VACCINES.
THIS IS A MATTER OF THE UTMOST
URGENCY GIVEN THE RAGING
PANDEMIC.
REALLY ISN'T THE CASE FOR
POLICIES THAT THE MOST
ALTRUISTIC IMPULSE IS DIRECTLY
IN SINK WITH THE MOST
INTERESTED CALCULATION.
THAT IS THE CASE HERE.
NO ONE IS SAFE FROM COVID
UNLESS ALL OF US ARE MADE SAY.
WE MUST ACT TO FACILITATE
VACCINE MANUFACTURER, AND THIS
IS NOT A TIME TO LET OTHER
SECONDARY MERCENARY CONCERNS
DISTRACT US.
I KNOW MANY WILL CLAIM THAT IT
IS NOT THE CITY OF SEATTLE'S
BUSINESS TO PASS RESOLUTIONS
RELATED TO INTERNATIONAL LAW, I
SAY IT IS ALWAYS APPROPRIATE
FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO
EXPRESS THE STRONG ETHICAL
PRINCIPLES OF THEIR
CONSTITUENTS.
IN THIS CASE, FROM THE CITY
LABEL ON UP, COMMUNITY HEALTH
PROGRAMS ARE DIRECTLY IS
STRONGLY AFFECTED BY THE
DECISIONS MADE AT THE
INTERNATIONAL LEVEL ON THIS
ISSUE.
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE IT.
I URGE YOU TO THE RIGHT THING
FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND VOTE
YES.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> WE CAN.
>> I'M A RENTER IN GREEN LAKE.
I WANT TO URGE CITY COUNCIL TO
SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION URGING
BIDEN.
WE ARE FACING AN UNPRECEDENTED
GLOBAL PANDEMIC.
THESE CONDITIONS CALL FOR A
SERIOUS AND RAPID RESPONSE.
DELAYING VACCINE ACCESS FOR
NATIONS BY NOT USING IP ONLY
HURTS OUR CHANCES AS AN
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SEE
AN END TO THE PANDEMIC.
BY DENYING VACCINES TO OTHER
NATIONS WE WILL SEE MORE WAVES
AND MORE STRAINS EMERGE.
POTENTIALLY SEEING THE VACCINES
BECOME LESS EFFECTIVE.
SOME FOLKS MIGHT BE THINKING
THIS IS IN THE SEATTLE ISSUE.
WE CAN'T AFFORD TO SIT IDLY BY
WHEN AN IMPORTANT RESTRICTION
OF PATENT RESTRICTION PUTS US
ALL AT RISK.
THERE IS A PRECEDENT FOR
SEATTLE TO TAKE A STAND.
IN FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR
SEATTLE PASSED A RESOLUTION
OPPOSING ISLAMOPHOBIC LAWS.
THIS RESOLUTION IN THE CITY SET
THE TONE FOR SEVERAL OTHER
CITIES TO TAKE THE SAME STANCE.
IT LED TO THE GOVERNMENT TO
BACK AWAY FROM PASSING THAT
LAW.
IT IS CLEAR WHAT HAPPENS HERE
IN SEATTLE THAT'S OF
INTERNATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION.
WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO NOT
ONLY DO THE EASY THING BUT DO
THE RIGHT THING.
TAKE A STAND.
THANKS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> HELLO.
DISTRICT 4. I'M HERE TO URGE
CITY COUNCIL TO PASS THE
RESOLUTION.
ALL YEAR THE CITY COUNCIL HAS
GIVEN LIP SERVICE TO
ACKNOWLEDGING THE ORIGINS OF
RACISM IN THIS COUNTRY.
WE KNOW THAT THE ORIGIN OF
RACISM IN THE U.S. ESPECIALLY
IS PRIVATE PROPERTY.
THE SAME LOGIC THAT ENABLED
SLAVERY NOW PREVENTS COUNTRIES,
DISPROPORTIONATELY COUNTRIES
FORMERLY COLONIZED AND
EXPLOITED BY THE U.S. AND EUROPE
FROM PRODUCING COVID VACCINES
THAT CAN SAVE MILLIONS OF LIVES.
TO HOARD THE PROPPING FOR MEGA
PHARMA COMPANIES IS OPENLY TO
PUT WHITE SUPREMACIST PROFITS
ABOVE ALL ELSE.
BILL GATES JUST PUBLICLY
DEFENDED THE HOARDING OF
VACCINE PATENTS IT IS VEILED
RACISM WHEN INDIA ALREADY
PRODUCES ALREADY MOST OF THE
GENERIC BRAND MEDICINES.
THIS MAKES IT CRUCIAL FOR
WORKING PEOPLE TO TAKE A STAND
AGAINST VACCINE RACISM.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
HOLD ON JUST A MINUTE HERE.
>> I'M A RENTER IN THE CENTRAL
DISTRICT.
I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT OF
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION.
A YEAR AGO WE KNOW LIKE THE
CITY WAS AT THE EPICENTER OF
THE COVID OUTBREAK IN THE
UNITED STATES.
THAT IS LIABLE TO BE THE CASE
AGAIN IF THERE ARE UNVACCINATED
PEOPLE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
NONE OF US ARE SAFE FROM NEW
STRAINS, AND THAT INCLUDES HERE
IN SEATTLE.
I THINK THAT'S ALSO TO SAY
NOTHING OF PROLONGING THE CYCLE
WE VARDY SEEN OF AND THE'S
LOCKDOWNS AND PREMATURELY
OPENING.
WORKING PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO BEAR
THE BRUNT OF THE CONSEQUENCES.
THIS IS A GLOBAL CRISIS AND WE
NEED TO COORDINATE A GLOBAL
RESPONSE.
I THINK THE CITY COUNCIL HAVE
THE POWER TO TAKE A STAND
AGAINST PREVENTING LOSS OF LIFE
THAT IS TAKING PLACE RIGHT NOW.
SIMPLY TO DEFEND THE PROFITS OF
THESE BIG PHARMACEUTICAL
COMPANIES WHO WERE IN REALITY
TOTALLY NEGLIGENT IN PREPARING
FOR THIS CRISIS.
THESE VACCINES WERE DEVELOPED
WITH PUBLIC FUNDS.
THERE IS A CLEAR PRESIDENT WITH
THE COUNCIL STAND AGAINST THE
CITIZENSHIP LAW.
I URGE THE COUNCIL TO FOLLOW
THAT PRECEDENT AGAIN AND PASS
THIS RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I'M A RENTER.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> WE CAN.
>> I'M A RENTER IN DISTRICT 3.
THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL SHOULD
ABSOLUTELY BE CALLING HIM
PRESIDENT BIDEN TO IMMEDIATELY
WAIVE PATENT RESTRICTIONS ON
COVID VACCINES.
BIG PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES
ARE MAKING ENORMOUS PROFITS BY
HOARDING VACCINES FOR RICH
COUNTRIES.
WHY SHOULD THEY BE ALLOWED TO
PROFIT WHEN IT WAS THE BILLIONS
OF DOLLARS OF PUBLIC RESEARCH
THAT MADE THE COVID VACCINE
PROFITABLE?
I THINK THE PUBLIC WORKING
PEOPLE EVERYWHERE SHOULD HAVE
FREE AND IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO
THE VACCINE.
WITH MILLIONS OF LIVES AT
STAKE, AND THE POTENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT OF VACCINES STRAINS,
WE NEED AMENDMENTS LIKE THIS
PASSED IN EVERY CITY, STARTING
HERE IN SEATTLE.
BIG PHARMA, BILLIONAIRES HAVE
BEEN LOBBYING HARD AGAINST
THESE WAIVERS.
THE DEMOCRATS ARE EXTREMELY
CLOSER WITH BIG PHARMA, SO THE
ONLY THING THAT'S GOING TO
PRESIDENT TO ACT AS A
GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT THAT TAKES
UP THESE DEMANDS AND ESCALATES
THE PRESSURE ON THE DEMOCRATS
TO RESPOND.
WE NEED A LOCAL PROTEST ACTION
ON APRIL 30th TO BUILD PRESSURE
ON THE WTO AND EXPOSED THE
DESPICABLE ROLE OF BILLIONAIRES
LIKE BILL GATES.
THAK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
>> I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF THE WASHINGTON FAIR TRADE
COALITION.
I'M HERE TO URGE YOU TO VOTE
FAOR IN COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
PROPOSAL.
FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS AT
THE CENTER OF NOT ACCEPTING A
CHIPS WAIVER.
PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID HE
SUPPORTED THIS.
HIS OWN TRADE REP SIGNALED ONLY
TWO WEEKS AGO.
PER THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE, WITHOUT THE LABOR
THERE WILL BE A $9.2 TRILLION
HIT TO THE GLOBAL ECONOMY.
$4.5 TRILLION OF THAT WILL BE --
FEWER JOBS AND A SLOW AND
PROLONGED ECONOMIC RECOVERY.
IT ALSO MEANS FEWER CONTRACTS
FOR COMPANIES OPERATING
INTERNATIONALLY IN THE PUGET
SOUND LIKE GOING TO SEATTLE
CITY COUNCIL'S VOICE AND THIS
IS CRITICAL.
I URGE YOU TO PASSES RESOLUTION
AND SEND A MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT
BY THAT SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
HAS HIS BACK WHEN IT COMES TO
BACKING THE CHIPS WAIVER.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
>> IF YOU ARE WITH US, MAKE
SURE YOU PRESS STAR SIX SO THAT
WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
>> WE CAN.
GO AHEAD.
>> I AM A MEMBER OF COALITION
OF SEATTLE INDIAN AMERICANS.
I URGE THE COUNCIL TO PASS
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S ISSUE
IP WAIVERS ON COVID-19 VACCINES.
LIFT EXPORT BANS ON VACCINE
SUPPLIES. AND REPORTING ON THE
SITUATION IN INDIA.
THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT IS PLENTY
TO BLAME FOR IT SHODDY HANDLING
OF THE VACCINE.
CASES HAVE GONE UP IN INDIA 10
TIMES IN THE PASSED MONTH.
DAILY DEATHS ARE AT THE LEVEL
WE HAD IN THE U.S. IN DECEMBER.
UNFORTUNATELY THE WORST IS YET
TO COME.
THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE OF --
RESPECTABLE PEOPLE CLAIM.
THE COVID VIRUS IS NOTORIOUS
FOR -- LEADING TOO MANY PEOPLE
UNVACCINATED IN ANY PART OF THE
WORLD IS DANGEROUS.
VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS --
IT TAKES MORE THAN WILL TO
STAND UP AGAINST -- AND TO DO
THE RIGHT THING TO SAVE HUMAN
LIVES.
DO IT NOW.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
>> I'M A RENTER AND MOUNT BAKER.
I'M CALLING FOR COUNCILMEMBER
SO WANTS VACCINE RESOLUTION.
OVER 400 INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS AND OVER 100
COUNTRIES SUPPORT THE WAIVER.
THE U.S. AND A HANDFUL OF
OTHERS ARE BLOCKING THE WAIVER.
THIS BLOCKADE STARTED ON THEIR
COUNCE AND BIDEN HAS THE POWER
TO REVERSE IT.
BIG PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES
AND BILLIONAIRES LIKE BILL
GATES ARE AS ALWAYS DOING
EVERYTHING TO PROTECT THEIR
PROFITS, EVEN AT THE COST OF
HUMAN LIFE.
THEY VARDY SENT OVER 100
LOBBYISTS TO PRESSURE THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION TO CONTINUE TO
OPPOSE THE VACCINE WAIVER.
PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS SAY IT
WILL LITERALLY BE YEARS BEFORE
PEOPLE IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH GET
THE VACCINE.
DURING THE AIDS EPIDEMIC,
PEOPLE IN HIGH INCOME COUNTRIES
GOT ACCESS TO LIFE-SAVING
MEDICATION WHILE MILLIONS WERE
LEFT TO DIE.
IT'S CRITICAL THAT THE SEATTLE
CITY COUNCIL PROCESS RESOLUTION
NOW URGING THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION TO DO THEIR PART
TO PREVENT THIS TRAGIC
NARRATIVE FROM PLAYING OUT
AGAIN WITH COVID.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE
RESOLUTION ON THE WTO WAIVER.
I WAS RECENTLY VACCINATED, BUT
I ALSO FEEL HEARTBROKEN THAT I
HAVE MORE VACCINES IN MY BODY
THAT ALL THE PEOPLE IN 130
COUNTRIES PUT TOGETHER.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE ARTICLE
IN TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST".
ON WHY THE WTO WAIVER WOULD BE
BOTH NECESSARY AND EFFECTIVE IN
INCREASING VACCINE ACCESS.
LETTING THE PANDEMIC KEEP
BRIDGING AND DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES THREATENS MILLIONS OF
LIVES AND IT'S ALSO HARMING
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ECONOMIES
AND THEIR ABILITY TO INVEST IN
CLIMATE ACTION.
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
MEMBER OF COALITION OF SEATTLE
INDIAN AMERICANS.
I URGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO PASS
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S COVID
IP RESOLUTION. THE FIRST ONE IS
PUT PEOPLE OVER PROFITS.
SUSPEND TRIPS AROUND COVID.
THE CTOPP PROCESS PUT FORTH BY
THE W.H.O.
REJECT THE CALL LAST PROPOSED
BY BILL GATES AND THE PHARMA
COMPANIES.
SHIP SUPPLIES OF ASTRAZENECA
THAT THEY ARE HOLDING TO
COUNTRIES LIKE INDIA THAT ARE
TRYING TO MAKE IT OUT-OF-
CONTROL.
SHARE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
FREELY AND PROACTIVELY TO BRING
THE PANDEMIC UNDER CONTROL AND
SAVE LIVES.
THANK YOU, HAVE A NICE DAY.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
>> MARTHA, IF YOU ARE ON THE
LINE WITH US, REMEMBER TO PRESS
STAR SIX.
CAN I.T.
CONFIRM THAT MARTHA IS STILL
WITH US?
>> AFFIRMATIVE.
THE CALLER IS ON THE LINE.
>> GREAT, MARTHA, WE STILL
CAN'T HEAR YOU.
YOU'LL NEED TO PRESS STAR SIX
ONE MORE TIME.
YOU'VE JUST GOT TO MAKE SURE
THAT IT IS THE STAR BUTTON, NOT
THE POUND BUTTON.
SO, STAR SIX.
THERE WE GO.
>> FINALLY.
MY APOLOGIES.
AS YOU ARE HEARING STRONGLY,
THE CRY FOR A VACCINE FOR ALL.
ONE THAT IS FREE, JUST AND
ACCESSIBLE IS HEARD AROUND THE
WORLD.
THE HEAD OF THE W.H.O.
HAS DECRIED WHAT HE CALLS THE
GROTESQUE GLOBAL INEQUALITY OF
VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.
ESPECIALLY THE WHEN THE WORLD
HAS THE MEANS TO AVERT THE
RESULTING CATASTROPHE.
HE FELL SHORT IN DEMANDING THAT
I.T.
RIGHTS BE WAIVED THROUGH THE
WTO.
THIS IS WHERE THE RESOLUTION
COMES IN VERY STRONGLY.
A LEADING NIH SCIENTIST SAID
LAST WEEK THAT THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT'S OWNERSHIP OF THE
PATENT FOR THE INVENTION GIVES
THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
SIGNIFICANT LEVERAGE TO COMPEL
PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES TO HELP
BOOST GLOBAL PRODUCTION.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE
NIH'S RESEARCH CENTER TOLD THE
FINANCIAL TIMES, VIRTUALLY
EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF
THE GOVERNMENT'S RESEARCH LAB
IS A NONEXCLUSIVE LICENSING
AGREEMENT.
SO THAT IT DOESN'T GET BLOCKED
BY ANY PARTICULAR COMPANY.
IN FACT, PRIOR TO THE WTO, AND
THE PROLIFERATION OF TRADE
TREATIES, COUNTRIES AROUND THE
WORLD REGULARLY USED COMPULSORY
LICENSING TO MAKE THE
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY ALLOW
LOCAL MANUFACTURERS TO PRODUCE
DRUGS AFTER PAYING A LICENSE
FEE.
IT'S ESTIMATED THAT NINE OUT OF
10 PEOPLE IN COUNTRIES WITHOUT
THE MEANS TO PURCHASE PATENTS
AND VACCINES WON'T HAVE ACCESS
THIS YEAR.
AN ANALYSIS PUTS THE INEQUALITY
IN STARK TERMS.
>> THANK YOU, MARTHA.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MARTHA.
I WISH WE COULD HEAR
EVERYBODY'S TESTIMONY.
I'M SORRY BUT WE ONLY HAVE ONE
MINUTE FOR EACH SPEAKER BEFORE
THE MICROPHONE WILL BE
AUTOMATICALLY MUTED.
I APPRECIATE YOU CALLING IN.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND IN THE
REST OF YOUR FULL COMMENTS TO
THE FULL COUNCIL.
NEXT UP WE ARE GOING TO FROM
ELLEN ANDERSON.
FOLLOWED BY ERICA MYERS.
>> I'M CALLING FROM BEACON HILL.
I'M CALLING TO ENCOURAGE FOLKS
TO SUPPORT COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT'S LEGISLATION.
WE HAVE SEEN THAT BIDEN HAS
LIFTED THE BAN ON EXPORTING
MATERIALS FOR VACCINES TO
INDIA.
THIS IS DEFINITELY ONE STEP
TOWARDS FIXING PRE-EXISTING
VACCINE NATIONALISM THAT HAS
REALLY FOCUSED ON PROFIT OVER
ACCESSIBILITY.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
AROUND THE COVID VACCINE ARE
ABSOLUTELY LIMITING ACCESS
RIGHT NOW.
THE CITY COUNCIL CURRENTLY HAS
AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUSH BACK
AGAINST THE WTO'S RULES THAT
REQUIRE COUNTRIES TO GUARANTEE
PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATIONS
MONOPOLY CONTROL.
RAPID PRODUCTION AND
DISTRIBUTION OF THE COVID-19
VACCINE IS ESSENTIAL.
THIS VIRUS DOES NOT CARE ABOUT
BORDERS, AND RIGHT NOW INDIA IS
GETTING HIT WITH OVER 300,000
CASES REPORTED IN A SINGLE DAY.
THEY NEED THESE VACCINES
YESTERDAY BECAUSE THESE
VACCINES CANNOT BE SEEN AS
ANYTHING OTHER THAN A GLOBAL
PUBLIC GOOD.
EVERYONE ON THIS PLANET NEEDS
TO BE ABLE TO BE VACCINATED.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
ERICA MYERS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>>WE CAN.
>> WONDERFUL.
I AM A RENTER FROM DISTRICT 1.
I WOULD LIKE TO URGE THE
COUNCIL TO PLEASE SUPPORT
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION URGING PRESIDENT
BIDEN TO WAIVE THE PATENT
RESTRICTIONS ON THE VACCINE.
THIS IS NOT JUST A SEATTLE
PROBLEM OR THE UNITED STATES
PROBLEM.
THIS IS A GLOBAL ISSUE.
THAT WILL TAKE A COLLECTIVE TO
SOLVE.
IT IS WRONG I FEEL TO PREVENT
ANYONE FROM HAVING ACCESS TO
THE VACCINE.
FOR A FEW BILLIONAIRES AND BIG
PHARMA CAN MAKE RECORD PROFITS.
IT IS THE HUMANE AND JUST THING
TO DO FOR MANY LIVES CAN BE
SAVED.
I URGE THE COUNCIL TO SUPPORT
THE RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU, ERICA.
NEXT UP IS REVEREND ROBERT
JEFFREY.
THEN, I HAVE SOMEONE APPEARING
AS NOT PRESENT ON MY SIDE.
IF YOU'RE LISTENING, MAKE SURE
THAT YOU ARE CALLING INTO THE
PROPER NUMBER.
ALSO WITH THE NUMBER THAT YOU
REGISTERED WITH.
ALL RIGHT.
>> PASTOR AT NEW HOPE BAPTIST
CHURCH.
I'M CALLING TO SUPPORT
COUNCILWOMAN SAWANT'S PETITION.
OR RECOMMENDATION FOR PATENT
WAIVER.
THERE SHOULD BE NO PRICE TAG ON
HUMAN SURVIVAL.
AT SOME POINT WE MUST UNDERSTAND
THAT THE WELFARE OF THE
COLLECTIVE PEOPLE FOR THE WORLD
IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE
INDIVIDUAL CONCERNS OF THE FEW
WHO BENEFIT FINANCIALLY FROM
THE COLLECTIVE.
WE CAN ONLY END THIS WORLD WIDE
PANDEMIC WHY MOVING BEYOND OUR
PREOCCUPATION WITH PRIVILEGE
AND LEGAL CONSTRAINT THAT
CONTINUED TO MAKE INDIVIDUAL
CORPORATE CONCERNS MORE
IMPORTANT, OR EQUAL, TO THE
WELFARE OF THE COMMON GOOD OF
ALL HUMANITY.
PEOPLE BEFORE PROFITS, OR
ESSENTIALLY, ARE ESSENTIAL
ESPECIALLY IN THIS TIME OF A
WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC.
ALL OF OUR VOICES MUST UNITE IN
THE CALL FOR MEDICAL JUSTICE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
CALLING IN TODAY.
AGAIN, ONE LAST TIME.
STILL SHOWING UP AS NOT PRESENT
ON MY SHEET.
IF YOU DO CALL IN TO THE
CORRECT NUMBER, WITH THE NUMBER
THAT YOU REGISTERED WITH, I
WILL MAKE SURE TO COME BACK AND
CALL ON YOU.
>> GO AHEAD, TIED.
YOU HAVE TO HIT STAR SIX SO
THAT WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> I'M IN ECONOMICS TEACHER AND
I RENT AN APARTMENT IN DISTRICT
3. I'M ALSO CALLING TO URGE THE
CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION.
IT IS CREATING A LARGE AND VERY
DANGEROUS GAP IN VACCINATION
RATES BETWEEN HIGH INCOME AND
LOW INCOME COUNTRIES.
THIS ENORMOUS GAP IS IMPORTANT
NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE
UNFAIRNESS OF THE WORLD'S CORE
BEING LEFT BEHIND, BUT BECAUSE
OF THE REST THE SITUATION POSES
TO THE WHOLE WORLD.
THE PANDEMIC IS ALLOWED TO
SPREAD UNCHECKED THROUGH THE
DEVELOPING WORLD.
IT'S A CERTAINTY THAT WE WILL
SEE MORE MUTATIONS AND WE
REALLY DON'T WANT TO MESS
AROUND AND FIND OUT HOW BAD
THIS THING CAN GET.
WE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING
POSSIBLE TO GET THE WHOLE WORLD
VACCINATED AS QUICKLY AS
POSSIBLE, WHICH WE CLEARLY ARE
NOT DOING RIGHT NOW.
THE U.S. AND OTHER WEALTHY
COUNTRIES INSIST ON MAINTAINING
THESE PATENTS AND INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY RIGHTS WHICH WE KNOW
ARE NOT NECESSARILY FOR
INNOVATION.
MOST OF THIS RESEARCH WAS
FUNDED BY TAXPAYERS.
WE SHOULD HAVE TO PUT PEOPLE'S
LIVES OVER CORPORATE PROFITS
DURING THIS UNPRECEDENTED HUMAN
CRISIS.
THANKS.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT UP IS JORDAN QUINN.
>> CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME?
>> WE CAN.
GO AHEAD.
>> GRADE.
MY NAME IS JORDAN.
I'M A MEMBER OF SOCIALIST
ALTERNATIVE AND A RENTER IN
DISTRICT 2. CALLING IN TO URGE
THE COUNCIL TO PASS
COUNCILMEMBER SALON'S
RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION TO GRANT VACCINE
IP WAIVERS.
THE TRUMP ADMISSION LED
OPPOSITION TO THE WTO COVID-19
WAIVER WHEN SOUTH AFRICA AND
INDIA FIRST PROPOSED IT.
BECAUSE WTO DECISIONS ARE TAKEN
BY CONSENSUS, THE U.S. AND VERY
FEW OTHERS WTO MEMBERS WERE
ABLE TO BLOCK THE WAIVER.
EVEN THOUGH THE PROPOSAL HAD
SUPPORT FROM OVER 100 OTHER
COUNTRIES.
AFTER THREE MONTHS, U.S.
OFFICIALS IN THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION HAVE MAINTAINED
THAT COMPOSITION IN THE WTO.
WE CAN'T HAVE FAITH THAT
CAPITALISM WILL FOLLOW THIS
CRISIS WHEN IT CENTRAL MOTOR,
THE DRIVE FOR PROFIT, STANDS IN
THE WAY OF GLOBAL VACCINATION.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE MASS SPECIAL
FROM BELOW TO FORCE BIDEN'S
HAND IN THE DEMETRIO.
IN ADDITION TO PROTEST ON APRIL
30th, THE CITY COUNCIL CAN ACT
ON THIS URGENT ISSUE BY
STANDING WITH THE MILLIONS OF
WORKERS AND FORMERLY COLONIZED
COUNTRIES AGAIN PROFIT GIVEN
VACCINE.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
>> CAN YOU GUYS HEAR ME?
>> YES.
GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU.
I'M A MEMBER OF THE COALITION
OF SEATTLE INDIAN AMERICANS.
I ALSO URGING PRESIDENT BIDEN'S
ADMINISTRATION TO.
LIVES THE BAN ON EXPORTERS. THE
W.H.O.
STATED THAT ALMOST 90% OF THE
VACCINES HAVE GONE TO THE RICH
COUNTRIES.
ON AVERAGE, 1 IN 4 IN THE RICH
COMPANIES HAVE RECEIVED THE
VACCINE.
THIS IS A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.
DIFFERENTIATE.
THE COUNCIL MUST SHOW
LEADERSHIP DECLARANT TO THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT TO PUT PEOPLE BEFORE
PROFIT.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS MARIANNE, FOLLOWED
BY MATTHEW.
>> I AM FACULTY AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON.
I ALSO WANTED TO SPEAK ON THE
PATENT WAIVERS FOR THE COVID-19
VACCINE.
MY QUESTION IS WHY SHOULD THE
CITY COUNCIL WEIGH IN ON THIS?
TO ME, FRANKLY IT'S BECAUSE YOU
FOLKS ARE NATIONAL LEADERS IN
ADDRESSING IMPORTANT SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC CHALLENGES.
MINIMUM WAGE, HOMELESSNESS,
POLICE VIOLENCE.
TAKING A STAND ON THIS ISSUE AS
SOMETHING THAT IS FUNDAMENTAL
FOR SEATTLE, AS WELL AS FOR THE
REST OF THE WORLD, IT WILL SEND
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR OTHER
CITY GOVERNMENTS ALL AROUND THE
COUNTRY.
YOU REPRESENT US ALL ON THIS
IMPORTANT ISSUE, AND WE WILL
AGAIN, GREATLY APPRECIATE A
PRINCIPLED STAND ON IN THIS
CASE, HOW WE CAN MAKE HER
BELIEVE COUNTER THE PANDEMIC
EVERYWHERE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NEXT UP IS MATTHEW.
>> I'M A RENTER IN CAPITOL HILL.
I'M A TECH WORKER.
I JUST WANT TO URGE THE COUNCIL
TO VOTE YES ON COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT'S RESOLUTION.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS.
THE PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AS A
BARRIER TO OVERCOMING THIS
GLOBAL PANDEMIC.
THE WORLD POPULATION IS ONE
POPULATION.
INEQUALITY IN PRODUCTION AND
DISTRIBUTION IS A STRUCTURAL
ISSUE.
THE BILLIONAIRE CLASS ONCE IT
BOTH WAYS.
THEY WANT TO REAP MANY PROPHETS.
SO, THIS KIND OF SET UP IS LIKE
VACCINATING ONLY THE RICHEST
PARTS OF THE CITIES WHILE
IGNORING THE WORKING CLASS
NEIGHBORHOODS, BUT ON A MUCH
LARGER INTERNATIONAL SCALE.
ULTIMATELY WE NEED
INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION OF
VACCINES RUN DEMOCRATICALLY BY
HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN THE
INTEREST OF PUBLIC HEALTH NOT
IN WEGENER PUPPETEERS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> WE CAN, GO AHEAD.
>> I'M ALSO HERE TO URGE
EVERYONE TO SUPPORT THE
RESOLUTION SPONSORED BY
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT URGING
THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO
SUSPEND IP RIGHTS ON COVID
VACCINES.
I JUST WANT TO FIND OUT THAT BY
NOW, THIS IS A DEMAND THAT IS
DEMANDED BY MAJORITY OF THE
WORLD ACTUALLY.
IT IS ONLY BLOCKED BY A
MAJORITY OF COMPANIES IN THE
WTO, WHICH REPRESENT THE
MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION IN
THE WORLD.
IT IS ONLY BLOCKED BY A MINORITY
OF BIG PHARMA INTERESTS, AND
UNFORTUNATELY ALSO THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION, WHICH IS
FIGHTING WITH BIG PHARMA.
I ALSO WANT TO FIND OUT THAT IN
ADDITION TO ALL OF THESE
WIDESPREAD SUPPORT, YOU SHOULD
BE NOTICING FROM THE PUBLIC
COMMENT ITSELF, THAT THERE IS A
WIDE ARRAY OF EVEN CITIZENS IN
THIS AREA WHO IS SUPPORTING
THIS DEMAND.
RANGING FROM SOUTH ASIANS, THE
INDIAN ASSOCIATION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
CALLING IN TODAY.
COLLEAGUES, THAT DOES BRING US
TO ABOUT 34 MINUTES.
I'M SORRY, 32 MINUTES OF PUBLIC
COMMENT.
SO, I HAVE ALLOTTED 30 MINUTES
FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND
CONCLUDE THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD.
I AM SORRY THAT WE DIDN'T GET
TO EVERYBODY.
ON THE LIST TODAY.
WE HEAR YOU AND UNDERSTAND YOUR
POSITION ON THE RESOLUTION THAT
THE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE TAKING
ACTION ON.
YOU ARE OF COURSE ALWAYS
WELCOME TO EMAIL THE FULL
COUNCIL AT COUNCIL AT
SEATTLE.GOP IF YOU ARE ONE OF
THE INDIVIDUALS THAT YOU WERE
UNFORTUNATELY UNABLE TO HEAR
FROM DIRECTLY TODAY.
I DO APPRECIATE EVERYBODY
CALLING IN AND WE ARE GOING TO
GO AHEAD AND BEGIN ON OTHER
ITEMS OF BUSINESS ON OUR
AGENDA.
>> PAYMENT OF THE BILLS.
>> COUNCIL BILL 120049, AN
ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING MONEY
TO PAY CERTAIN AUDITED CLAIMS
FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 12, 2021
THROUGH APRIL 16th, 2021, AND
ORDERING THE PAYMENT THEREOF.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I MOVED TO PASS COUNCIL BILL
10049.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS?
HEARING NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS,
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF THE
BILL?
>> EIGHT IN FAVOR, NONE
OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AND THE
CHAIR WILL SIGN IT.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE?
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM
1 INTO THE RECORD?
>> THE REPORT OF THE FINANCE
AND HOUSING COMMITTEE.
COUNCIL BILL 120041.
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE
2021 BUDGET PERMITTING
ORDINANCE 126327, WHICH ADOPTED
THE 2021 BUDGET, CHANGING
APPROPRIATIONS TO VARIOUS
DEPARTMENTS, CREATING POSITIONS
EXEMPT FROM CIVIL SERVICE, AND
RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING
CERTAIN PRIOR ACTS, ALL BY A
THREE-QUARTER VOTE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL.
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THE
BILL PASS.
>> THANK YOU.
SO MUCH.
I WILL PROVIDE THIS COMMITTEE
REPORT ON BEHALF OF
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
COUNCIL BILL 120041 ,
COLLEAGUES, WHAT APPROPRIATE
NEARLY $18 MILLION OF FEDERALLY
GRANTED CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUNDS
, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS CRF.
BY INCREASING APPROPRIATIONS IN
SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS FOR
PROGRAMS THAT NEED ADDITIONAL
FUNDING TO CONTINUE SERVICES
THROUGH THE END OF 2021.
THESE CRF FUNDS WERE PART OF
THE FEDERAL C.A.R.E.S.
ACT THAT WAS ADOPTED ON MARCH
27, 2020, AND INCLUDED ABOUT
$131.5 MILLION IN DIRECT
FUNDING TO THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
THE $18 MILLION APPROPRIATED IN
THIS COUNCIL BILL ARE THE LAST
REMAINING FUNDS FROM THE
C.A.R.E.S.
ACT GRANTS TO THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
THESE FUNDS MUST BE EXPENDED BY
THE CITY BEFORE THE END OF 2021.
THESE EXPENDITURES AUTHORIZED
IN THIS LEGISLATION INCLUDE,
CHILD CARE PROVIDER
STABILIZATION GRANTS.
FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY FOOD
ACCESS AND GROCERY VOUCHERS.
RENEWED FUNDING TO MAINTAIN THE
CLEAN CITY INITIATIVE.
VACCINE OUTREACH EFFORTS TO
REACH UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
AND ENSURE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO
THE COVID-19 VACCINE.
THE FINANCE AND HOUSING
COMMITTEE TO DEBATE THIS BILL,
AND WE VOTED ON THE PASSAGE OF
THE BILL.
THE FINANCE AND HOUSING
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE
FULL CITY COUNCIL PASS THIS BILL
AS CONSIDERED IN OUR COMMITTEE.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS?
HEARING NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS,
ON THE BILL, WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
PASSAGE OF THE BILL?
>> EIGHT IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> GREAT, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THE BILL PASSES AND THE CHAIR
WILL SIGN IT.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE?
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM
2 INTO THE RECORD?
>> THE REPORT OF THE
TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES
COMMISSION.
AGENDA ITEM 2. COUNCIL BILL
120043.
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO CABLE
TELEVISION, AUTHORIZING THE
MAYOR OR THE MAYOR'S DESIGNEE
TO APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF
CONTROL, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS
OF WAVEDIVISION I, LLC, TO
EXECUTE A CABLE FRANCHISE
TRANSFER OF CONTROLLING INTEREST
CONSENT AGREEMENT FOR THE
PURPOSE OF IMPLEMENTING AND
ADMINISTERING THE TRANSFER AND
RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING
CERTAIN PRIOR ACTS THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THE BILL
PASS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN, YOU ARE
RECOGNIZED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE
THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
>> COLLEAGUES, AS I MENTIONED
DURING OUR COUNCIL BRIEFING
THIS MORNING, THIS IS COUNCIL
BILL 120043, WHICH PERTAINS TO
ONE OF OUR CITIES CABLE
FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS.
SPECIFICALLY THE WAVE COMPANY.
THIS LEGISLATION SIMPLY HAS THE
CITY CONSENT TO THE TRANSFER OF
CONTROLLING INTERESTS IN THE
PARENT COMPANY OF WAVE.
THE CITY HAS A CABLE FRANCHISE
THAT HAVE BEEN WITH
WAVEDIVISION I, LLC, AND WAVE
WILL REMAIN THE FRANCHISE
GRANTEE, WITH THE WAVE BRAND
AND OPERATIONS CONTINUING AS IS
IN SEATTLE FOR CUSTOMERS.
SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION
21.6 0.110, REQUIRES US TO
CONSIDER ISSUE PARTIAL
TRANSFERS OF PARENT COMPANY
OWNERSHIP OF CABLE FRANCHISES.
THE FEDERAL LAW HAS A TIMELINE
FOR THIS CONSENT WITH THAT
DEADLINE APPROACHING SOON.
OUR SEATTLE INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT CREATED A
THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED
TRANSFER AND ENGAGED BOTH
FINANCIAL AND LEGAL EXPERTS TO
ASSIST WITH THE ANALYSIS.
THEY ALL RECOMMEND APPROVAL,
AND AS PART OF THE APPROVAL,
THE CITY APPROVED FROM THE
COMPANY A STRONG CORPORATE
GUARANTEE AND CONSENT
AGREEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES
CONTINUED PERFORMANCE AND
SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS.
SEATTLE I.T.
PRESENTED ALL OF THIS TO OUR
TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES
COMMITTEE.
OUR COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDS APPROVAL TODAY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS?
HEARING NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS,
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF THE
BILL?
>> EIGHT IN FAVOR, NONE
OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AND THE
CHAIR WILL SIGN IT.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE?
ITEM 3, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
READ ITEM 3 INTO THE RECORD?
>> ADOPTION OF OTHER
RESOLUTIONS.
AGENDA ITEM 3. RESOLUTION 32004
, A RESOLUTION PRIORITIZING
PEOPLE OVER THE PROFITS OF
PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES,
SUPPORTING THE PRODUCTION OF
COVID-19 VACCINE AROUND THE
WORLD, URGING PRESIDENT BIDEN
TO END U.S. OPPOSITION TO THE
WAIVER FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS
OF THE TRADE RELATEDASPECTS OF
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
AGREEMENT FOR THE PREVENTION,
CONTAINMENT, AND TREATMENT OF
COVID-19 AND THE WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATION, WTO.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
COLLEAGUES, I WILL MOVE TO
ADOPT RESOLUTION 32004 IF THERE
IS A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT, OVER TO
YOU.
YOU CAN ADDRESS IT.
>> THANK YOU.
THIS RESOLUTION URGES PRESIDENT
BIDEN TO AN THE U.S. OPPOSITION
TO THE INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN
FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
RIGHTS WAIVER FROM THE WTO FOR
COVID-19 VACCINES.
IT ALSO ADDS THE SEATTLE CITY
OUNCIL AS A SIGNATORY OF A
COMMUNITY LETTER TO PRESIDENT
BIDEN ON THAT TOPIC THAT HAS
BEEN SIGNED BY OVER 400 UNIONS,
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND
FAITH GROUPS FROM DOCTORS
WITHOUT BORDERS INTERNATIONALLY,
TO THE WASHINGTON STATE LABOR
COUNCIL AND THE KING COUNTY
LABOR COUNCIL.
RAPID AND WIDESPREAD GLOBAL
DISSEMINATION OF VACCINATIONS
ARE AT THE CENTER OF EVERY
STRATEGY BY PUBLIC HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS TO STOP THE
SPREAD OF THE VIRUS.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE BREATHTAKING
INEQUITIES IN THE DISTRIBUTION
OF VACCINATIONS AROUND THE
WORLD.
ACCORDING TO THE WORLD HEALTH
ORGANIZATION, NEARLY 90% OF THE
VACCINES HAVE GONE TO WELL-OFF
COUNTRIES WHILE LOW INCOME
COUNTRIES HAVE RECEIVED JUST TO
0.2%.
THIS HAS MEANT THAT ON AVERAGE
1 IN FOUR COUNTRIES HAVE
RECEIVED CORONAVIRUS VACCINE
COMPARED WITH JUST 1 IN MORE
THAN 500 PEOPLE IN LOW INCOME
COUNTRIES.
THE LACK OF ACCESSIBLE VACCINES
AND THE MAJORITY OF COUNTRIES
AROUND THE WORLD IS CREATING AN
UNIMAGINABLE HUMAN CATASTROPHE
ON A SCALE NOT SEEN BEFORE.
IN INDIA, WHERE I GREW UP,
THOUSANDS ARE DYING DAILY AND
THE RIGHT WING IS SUPPRESSING
THE NUMBERS SO THE REALITY IS
EVEN MORE SERIOUS THAN REPORTED
STATISTICS.
CREMATORIUM WORKERS REPORT
BEING INSTRUCTED TO LIST THE
CAUSE OF DEATH AS SICKNESS
RATHER THAN COVID.
WRITERS IS REPORTING GAS AND
FIREWORK FURNACES HAVE BEEN
RUNNING SO LONG THAT OUT A
BREAK WITHOUT THAT METAL PARTS
HAVE BEGUN TO MELT.
HOSPITALS ARE COMPLETELY OVERRUN
AND THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF
MEDICAL SUPPLIES LIKE ACCIDENT
IT IS DIRE.
THIS HUMAN SUFFERING IS BEING
CAUSED BY PROFIT DRIVEN
BILLIONAIRES, AND BIG
PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES, WITH
THE BLESSING OF THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION, THE EUROPEAN
UNION, AND OTHER MAJOR
CONTROLLERS OF WTO POLICY.
THEY ARE FIERCELY BLOCKING MANY
COUNTRIES LIKE BRAZIL, INDIA,
AND SOUTH AFRICA FROM PRODUCING
GENERIC VERSIONS OF THE COVID-
19 VACCINE, ALL IN THE NAME OF
SO-CALLED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
RIGHTS.
IF WE DON'T FIGHT TO CHANGE
THIS STARTING WITH THE
NECESSARY FIRST STEP OF
REMOVING THE WTO PATENT
RESTRICTIONS, PUBLIC HEALTH
EXPERTS SAY IT WILL LITERALLY
BE YEARS BEFORE PEOPLE IN THE
GLOBAL SOUTH GET THE VACCINE.
ALTHOUGH 100 COMPANIES HAVE
APPEARED TO THE WTO, WHICH
ENFORCES THE SO-CALLED
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
INTERNATIONALLY TO ISSUE A
WAIVER TO ALLOW COVID-19
VACCINES TO BE PRODUCED AROUND
THE WORLD, WTO REPRESENTATIVES
FROM RICHER COMPANIES INCLUDING
THE U.S. AND THE UK HAVE OPPOSED
ISSUING THE WAIVER.
THIS OPPOSITION WAS INITIALLY A
POLICY OF THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION, WHO STEADFASTLY
DEFENDED THE PROPHET OF BIG
PHARMA OVER THE LIVES OF
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN THE
GLOBAL SOUTH.
UNFORTUNATELY EVEN THROUGH 100
DAYS OF THEIR ADMINISTRATION,
THE BIDEN REGIME HAS CONTINUED
THAT POLICY.
THE U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL
ANTONIO GUTIERREZ SAID THE
COVID-19 VACCINE MUST BE SEEN
AS A GLOBAL PUBLIC GOOD, A
PEOPLE'S VACCINE.
ON FEBRUARY 26th, LETTER TO
PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED BY OVER
400 ORGANIZATIONS URGED THE
ADMINISTRATION TO LIFT THE U.S.
BLOCKADE OF THE WAIVER AND THE
LETTER SAID QUOTE, YOU CAN ALSO
HELP RESTORE AMERICA'S MORAL
AND PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERSHIP IN
THE WORLD BY SIDING WITH THE
MAJORITY TO PRIORITIZE SAVING
LIVES OVER PROTECTING
PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION
MONOPOLIES AND PROFITS.
THIS NEW POSITION WOULD BE
WIDELY NOTED, GIVEN U.S.
OFFICIALS SHAMELESS ATTACK ON
THE WAIVER AT THE JANUARY WTO
MEETING.
END QUOTE.
AN IMPORTANT OPINION APPEARS IN
THE "WASHINGTON POST" IN STRONG
SUPPORT OF REMOVING THE PATENT
RESTRICTIONS ON THE COVID
VACCINE.
THEY SAY QUOTE, UNFORTUNATELY
THE DRUG COMPANIES HAVE
CONSISTENTLY DONE WHAT THEY CAN
TO PRESERVE THEIR MONOPOLY
CONTROL.
EVEN TODAY AS THEY BATTLE THE
WAIVER AND ARGUE THAT EXISTING
LICENSING RIGHTS ARE SUFFICIENT,
THEY LOBBIED THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT TO SANCTION
COMPANIES TO USE THAT TOOL.
THESE CORPORATIONS HAVE ALSO
UNDERMINED THIS OPTION BY
BUILDING PICKETS OF
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY VALUES.
THEY FORTIFY THEIR MONOPOLIES
BY REGISTERING EXCLUSIVE LIGHTS
TO INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AND
UNDISCLOSED DATA SUCH AS TRADE
SECRETS AND TEST DATA, IN
ADDITION TO NUMEROUS PATENTS
AND COPYRIGHTS REACH MEDICINE.
EACH ELEMENT WOULD REQUIRE A
LICENSE. THIS UP AT FROM THESE
AUTHORS CAPTURES EXACTLY THE
KIND OF NETWORK OF LICENSES THE
WTO IMPOSES TO MAKE IT
IMPOSSIBLE FOR COUNTRIES TO DO
WHAT IS NEEDED TO SAVE LIVES.
ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE
RECEIVED IMPORTANT LETTERS FROM
THE WASHINGTON FAIR TRADE
COALITION AND FROM THE
ASSOCIATION, AND ALSO FROM
HINDUS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS,
SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION AND
URGING THE COUNCIL TO VOTE YES
TODAY.
THE TIPS WAIVER WHICH THIS
RESOLUTION IS CALLING FOR IS
SUPPORTED BY THE FAIR TRADE
COALITION, BUT ALSO BY PARTNERS
IN HEALTH, THE AMERICAN MEDICAL
STUDENT ASSOCIATION, DOCTORS
FOR AMERICA, NATIONAL NURSES
UNITED.
PUBLIC CITIZEN, AMNESTY
INTERNATIONAL, AND OTHERS.
>>> THIS RESOLUTION IS TIMELY
BECAUSE A NEW ROUND OF WTO
MEETINGS ARE BEGINNING,
INCLUDING TRIPS COUNCIL
GATHERING PLANNED FOR APRIL
30th, WHICH IS FOUR DAYS FROM
NOW.
A GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING DUE
IN EARLY MAY.
ACTIVISTS AND ORGANIZERS AROUND
THE WORLD ARE FIGHTING FOR THE
WAIVER AND ARE BUILDING MOMENTUM
TO PREPARE FOR THOSE UPCOMING
WTO MEETINGS.
THIS RESOLUTION WILL JOIN THE
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL AS ONE
PART OF THE EFFORT IF IT PASSES
TODAY.
MY HOPE IS THAT THIS RESOLUTION
WILL INSPIRE OTHER CITIES TO DO
THE SAME TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO
THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION THAT
WE WILL NOT ACCEPT A CONTINUED
POLICY OF VACCINE NATIONALISM.
WE CAN SEE HOW BUILDING
MOVEMENTS CAN WIN VICTORIES,
JUST IN THE PASSED COUPLE DAYS
THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WAS
FINALLY FORCED TO CONCEDE AND
SEND SOME VACCINE MATERIALS AND
DOSES TO INDIA, WHICH THEY
PREVIOUSLY REFUSED TO DO.
WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE THAT THIS
IS A VICTORY, BUT ONLY A FIRST
STEP. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE OR
AN EXCUSE FOR REFUSING TO CARRY
OUT THE TIPS WAIVER AND
ALLOWING EVERY COUNTRY AROUND
THE WORLD TO MAKE THE VACCINES
THEY NEED.
ON THE ONE SIDE, WE HAVE THE
HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL OF
HUMANITY.
ON THE OTHER, WE HAVE THE
ENDLESS GREED FOR PROFIT BY BIG
PHARMA AND THE BILLIONAIRE
CLASS.
I HOPE ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS
DECIDE TO STAND WITH HUMAN LIFE
AND NOT BILLIONAIRE PROFIT.
I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD
HAS SOME AMENDMENTS, WHICH I
HAVE ALREADY SAID I SUPPORT
THEM, SO I INVITE HER TO RECITE
THEM.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
I AM GOING TO CALL NOW ON
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, WHO I
UNDERSTAND HAS AN AMENDMENT
THAT SHE HAS CIRCULATED EARLIER
TODAY.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, I'M
GOING TO RECOGNIZE YOU TO MAKE
YOUR MOTION.
>> I MOVED TO AMEND RESOLUTION
32004.
>> IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, PLEASE
FEEL FREE TO ADDRESS THE
AMENDMENT.
>> THANK YOU.
I WAS HOPING THAT THE LANGUAGE
COULD JUST BE INCORPORATED IN
THE RESOLUTION, BUT I RAN OUT
OF TIME.
IT JUST SIMPLY IS THAT THE
CHANGES ARE SIMPLY INTENDED TO
ELEVATE THE FACT THAT DURING A
GLOBAL PANDEMIC, THE DESTINIES
OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR CITY ARE
ESPECIALLY CONNECTED TO THE
DESTINIES OF FOLKS IN OTHER
CITIES.
PARTICULARLY THOSE CITIES WHO
HAVE LESS ACCESS TO VACCINE.
SO, THE AMENDMENT ADDS RECITALS
TO EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF
DISSEMINATING VACCINATION
EVERYWHERE TO DEVELOP HERD
IMMUNITY.
AGAIN, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT
MUST BE DONE IN A WAY THAT CAN
HELP ALL OF US.
THE AMENDMENT ALSO RECOGNIZES
THAT NEW COVID VARIANTS
CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THROUGHOUT
THE WORLD AND THE IMPORTANCE OF
GIVING VACCINES WORLDWIDE CAN
INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF
SUCCESS IN THE BATTLE AGAINST
COVID-19.
IT EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF
VACCINATIONS TO REOPENING BOTH
IN DEVELOPED AND IN THE
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND IN THE
GLOBAL SOUTH.
FINALLY, RECOGNIZING THAT SO
MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS HERE IN
SEATTLE HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS IN
OTHER COUNTRIES.
INCLUDING THOSE COUNTRIES
WITHOUT ADEQUATE ACCESS TO
VACCINES.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR
QUESTIONS ON COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD'S AMENDMENT?
HEARING NO QUESTIONS OR
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
THE AMENDMENT TO RESOLUTION
32004 AS DESCRIBED AND
PREVIOUSLY CIRCULATED BY
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> EIGHT IN FAVOR, NONE
OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION PASSES AND THE
AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED.
TO RESOLUTION 32004.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON RESOLUTION 32004 AS
AMENDED?
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
I APPRECIATE THE GOOD
INTENTIONS OF THIS RESOLUTION
32004, AND THE AMENDMENTS THAT
I JUST VOTED FOR.
I BELIEVE WE ALL SHARE THE
GOALS TO HAVE THE COVID VACCINE
WIDELY AVAILABLE HERE AND
THROUGHOUT THE GLOBE.
I BELIEVE WE AGREE ON THAT
GOAL.
I ALSO BELIEVE OUR EXPERIENCED
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, ARE
MORE THAN CAPABLE OF PROVIDING
ADVOCACY AND OVERSIGHT ON THE
ISSUES IMPACTING THE NATION AND
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
THAT INCLUDES HOW BEST TO
CURTAIL THE PANDEMIC, AS
QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE ACROSS THE
NATION AND ABROAD.
ONCE AGAIN, I THINK WE ARE
REMINDED OF THE LIMITATIONS OF
OUR OWN COUNCIL RULES, WHICH
DO NOT CURRENTLY ALLOW
COUNCILMEMBERS TO ABSTAIN, EVEN
ON NONBINDING RESOLUTIONS.
I BELIEVE AN EXTENSION WOULD BE
APPROPRIATE WHILE WE MIGHT
AGREE ON THE OVERARCHING
METHOD, BUT MIGHT NOT HAVE THE
BANDWIDTH TO RESEARCH THE
DETAILS AS WE DEAL WITH THE
MULTIPLE CRISES IN OUR OWN CITY,
OR WE MIGHT NOT HAVE THE
EXPERTISE AND IMPORTANT
UNDERLYING DETAILS.
FOR EXAMPLE, I BELIEVE IT'S
IMPORTANT TO RESEARCH THESE
DETAILS, BUT BECAUSE OF THE
SPEED AT WHICH THIS CAME ABOUT,
I'M NOT ABLE TO DELVE INTO THE
MATTERS OF PHARMACEUTICAL
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, OR WTO
AGREEMENT ON TRADE RELATED
ASPECTS OF INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY RIGHTS.
AND OTHER ISSUES.
I ALSO DO NOT BELIEVE THIS
PARTICULAR ISSUE IS WITHIN THE
SCOPE OF OUR INFLUENCE AS THE
LEGISLATIVE BODY OF A CITY, NOR
IS IT DIRECTLY TIED TO OUR
DUTIES UNDER THE CHARTER OF THE
CITY.
WITH NO ABILITY TO ABSTAIN ON
THIS RESOLUTION, I'LL HAVE TO
BE VOTING NO.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE RESOLUTION AS
AMENDED?
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT, AS THE
SPONSOR, YOU GET THE LAST WORD
TO CLOSE OUT DEBATE.
THEN, WE ARE GOING TO CALL THE
ROLL.
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT
GONZALEZ.
I JUST WANTED TO RESPOND TO
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN QUICKLY,
AND THEN MAKE A FEW OTHER
COMMENTS.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN SAID I
BELIEVE WE ALL SHARE THE GOAL
THAT VACCINE SHOULD BE
AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE
GLOBALLY, BUT IF COUNCILMEMBERS
ARE PLANNING TO VOTE NO ON THIS
RESOLUTION, OR EVEN WANTING,
EXPRESSING THE DESIRE TO
ABSTAIN ON THIS ISSUE, THEN NO,
THEN WE DON'T SHARE THAT GOAL.
IF YOU SHARE THE GOAL THAT THE
VACCINE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE, AS
AN ELECTIVE REPRESENTATIVE AT
ANY LEVEL, ONE SHOULD BE NOT
ONLY WILLING TO, BUT EAGER TO
FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF ALL
WORKING PEOPLE, BUT IN THIS
SITUATION, THIS IS A QUESTION OF
HUMAN CATASTROPHE THAT IS
HAPPENING AT AN UNPRECEDENTED
SCALE.
I THINK THAT IT IS SIMPLY
IMPOSSIBLE, AND IT IS
UNCONSCIONABLE TO VIEW THIS
ISSUE SOLELY THROUGH THE NARROW
LENS OF WHAT THE SEATTLE CITY
CHARTER SAYS.
IT HAS TO BE VIEWED THROUGH THE
LENS OF MORAL AND POLITICAL
OBLIGATION OF THIS MOMENT.
I JUST WANTED TO ADD THE POINT
THAT, THIS IS VERY MUCH RELATED
TO SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
RESPONSIBILITY.
WE KNOW THAT BECAUSE IT IS A
PANDEMIC, WHICH MEANS IT'S A
GLOBAL EPIDEMIC, PUBLIC HEALTH
EXPERTS ARE WARNING US THAT THE
VIRUS HAS THE CAPABILITY OF
SPREADING, MULTIPLYING AND
MUTATING, IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF
THE WORLD.
THE ONLY WAY AS COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD SAID FOR US TO HELP
KEEP EVERYONE SAFE IS TO REACH
THE DEGREE OF HERD IMMUNITY
THAT EPIDEMIOLOGICAL
STATISTICIANS ARE RECOMMENDING
THAT WE URGENTLY REACH, WHICH
IS GOING TO BE IMPOSSIBLE
WITHOUT BILLIONS OF PEOPLE
HAVING ACCESS TO THE VACCINE.
WHICH IN TURN WILL BE
IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT THOSE
NECESSARY FIRST STEPS UNDER THE
WTO TRIPS WAIVER.
I DON'T SEE HOW YOU CAN STAND
FOR SEATTLE'S WORKING PEOPLE
AND THE SEATTLE COMMUNITY
WITHOUT ALSO STANDING UP FOR THE
ACCESS TO VACCINES GLOBALLY.
THEY ARE JUST MUTUALLY
EXCLUSIVE IN THE CASE OF A
PANDEMIC.
IN OTHER WORDS, NOT ENSURING
THAT THE WHOLE WORLD HAS ACCESS
TO THE BOOK SEEN MAKES PLAYING
RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH THE LIVES
OF PEOPLE IN AMERICA AND
SEATTLE.
THE CITY COUNCILS RESOLUTION IS
GOING TO BE BUT ONE STEP,
IMPORTANT STEP, BUT IT IS JUST
ONE STEP FORWARD.
WE WILL NEED OTHER ELECTED
OFFICIALS TO ALSO WEIGH IN, AND
I'M HOPING THIS RESOLUTION
PASSES SO WE PUT THAT EXAMPLE
FORWARD.
I ALSO JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT
BIG PHARMA AND THE ELECTED
OFFICIALS IN CONGRESS,
INCLUDING MANY CABINET
APPOINTEES IN THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION CLAIM THAT
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
AND THE MASSIVE PROFITS FOR BIG
PHARMA ARE NECESSARY TO CREATE
AN INCENTIVE TO DEVELOP FUTURE
VACCINES AND TREATMENTS.
WE SHOULD BE RECOGNIZING THAT
THIS IS A COMPLETE LIE.
THE REALITY IS THAT NO CLINICAL
INNOVATION WOULD BE POSSIBLE
WITHOUT OVERWHELMING AMOUNTS OF
PUBLIC FUNDING.
AND WITHOUT OVERWHELMING AMOUNT
OF WORK BY ARMIES OF DEDICATED
RESEARCHERS AND SCIENTISTS.
THESE ARE SALARIED EMPLOYEES,
NOT BILLIONAIRES.
YET, ONCE CLINICAL INNOVATIONS
ARE AVAILABLE, THE PROPHETS ALL
GO TO THE BILLIONAIRES, NOT TO
THE ORDINARY PEOPLE, BILLIONS
AROUND THE WORLD WHO HAVE
CONTRIBUTED TO MAKE THIS
RESEARCH POSSIBLE.
FOR INSTANCE, THE NEW YORK
TIMES REPORTED THAT ONE OF THE
HEROES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
THE GROUNDBREAKING MRNA
TECHNOLOGY THAT HAS MADE COVID
VACCINES POSSIBLE AND HAS BEEN
THE BACKBONE OF THIS LIFE-
SAVING VACCINE, SPENT HER
CAREER GOING FROM PUBLICLY
FUNDED LAB TO PUBLICLY FUNDED
LAB, SUPPORTED BY GOVERNMENT
LABS.
NEVER HERSELF MAKING MORE THAN
$50,000 A YEAR.
THIS IS NOT NEW.
WE KNOW THIS IS HAPPENED WITH
EIGHT MEDICATIONS, AND ALSO IN
2007, WHEN THE INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY RIGHTS TO THE EPIPEN
WERE PURCHASED BY A
PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY IT
INCREASED THE WHOLESALE PRICE
SIXFOLD FROM $100 IN 2009 TO
$609 IN 2016.
ALL OF THIS LOGIC WAS PURELY
DEMONSTRATED IN AN INVESTING
ARTICLE ON CNBC LAST WEDNESDAY
TITLED GOLDMAN SACHS ASKS. IS
CURING PATIENTS A SUSTAINABLE
BUSINESS MODEL?
IN OTHER WORDS, GOLDMAN SACHS,
WHICH IS AN ABSOLUTELY
NOTORIOUS WALL STREET
CORPORATION, THEY ARE HAVING TO
ACKNOWLEDGE PUBLICLY THAT WHILE
HAVING ONE SHOT CURES, THEIR
RESEARCH IS COMPLETELY POSSIBLE
GIVING OUR TECHNICAL ABILITY
TODAY, WHILE ONE SHOT CURES ARE
EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL TO
HUMANITY AS A WHOLE, NOT ONLY
SAVING LIVES BUT PRESENTING ANY
KIND OF MISERY PEOPLE FACE.
IT IS NOT GOOD FOR THE PROFIT
AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE
REPEATED AND CHRONIC PROFIT
MAKING A BIG PHARMA.
IT SHOWS THE LOGIC OF
CAPITALISM ITSELF IS COMPLETELY
IN CONFLICT WITH THE NEEDS OF
HUMANITY.
WE SHOULD REMEMBER, IN 1999,
THE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE TOOK TO
THE STREETS TO PROTEST THE WTO
MEETING, INSPIRING AN
INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT AGAINST
CORPORATE GLOBALIZATION.
THIS IS WHAT THE MOVEMENT WAS
PROTESTING AGAINST
INTERNATIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS
LIKE WTO ARE WRITTEN BY THE
CAPITALIST BELIEF FROM AROUND
THE GLOBE TO DEFEND THEIR
PROFITS AGAINST WORKING PEOPLE
ACROSS THE GLOBE.
THAT IS WHY WE NEED
INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY AND I
WANTED TO THANK ALL THE
ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE HELPED
úWITH THIS RESOLUTION AND
STRONGLY BUILD SUPPORT FOR IT.
I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK
EVERYBODY OF COURSE WHO HAS
LENT THEIR SUPPORT FOR THIS,
BUT I ESPECIALLY WANTED TO
RECOGNIZE THE COALITION OF
SEATTLE INDIAN AMERICANS.
THE WASHINGTON FAIR TRADE
COALITION AND ALTERNATIVE
ORGANIZATIONS ARE REALLY BUILT
STRONG SUPPORT FOR THIS
RESOLUTION.
AS I SAID, IT WILL BE A SMALL
BUT VERY CRUCIAL STEP IN
BUILDING MOMENTUM FOR THE APRIL
30th TRIPS COUNCIL MEETING.
CALLING FOR A PROTEST ON APRIL
30th, LET'S END THE STATUS QUO
OF BILLIONAIRE GIVEN,
BILLIONAIRE PROFIT DRIVEN
APARTHEID AND VACCINE
NATIONALISM AND SAVE MILLIONS
OF LIVES BY WINNING VACCINE
INTERNATIONALISM AND A PEOPLE'S
VACCINE.
LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE BUILD
ON THAT IN THE UNITED STATES BY
WINNING MEDICARE FOR ALL.
IN QUEUE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THAT DOES CONCLUDE DEBATE ON
THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.
AT THIS POINT I'M GOING TO ASK
THAT THE COURT PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE
RESOLUTION AS AMENDED.
>> JUAREZ?
>> YES.
>> THANK YOU.
>> LEWIS?
>> YES.
>> MORALES QUESTION MARK BE MY
GUESS.
>> PEDERSEN?
>> NO.
>> SAWANT?
>> YES.
>> STRAUSS QUESTION MARKS BE MY
GUESS.'S
>> HERBOLD?
>> YES.
>> SEVEN IN FAVOR, ONE OPPOSED.
>> THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED
AND THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT.
WITH THE CLERK PLEASE AFFECT MY
SIGNATURE?
OTHER BUSINESS.
COLLEAGUES, IS THERE ANY
FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE
THE COUNCIL?
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.
I WOULD ASK THE INDULGENCE OF
THE COUNCIL TO BE EXCUSED FROM
BOTH BRIEFING AND FULL COUNCIL
FOR THE MAY 3rd MEETING.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
COLLEAGUES, IF THERE'S NO
OBJECTION, COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS
WILL BE EXCUSED FROM COUNCIL
RELATED MEETINGS ON MAY 3rd.
>> HEARING NO OBJECTION,
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS WILL BE
EXCUSED FROM OUR FULL COUNCIL
MEETING ON MAY 3rd, AS WELL AS
OUR COUNCIL BRIEFING.
ANY OTHER FURTHER BUSINESS TO
COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL?
OKAY, HEARING NONE, COLLEAGUES,
THIS DOES CONCLUDE THE ITEMS OF
BUSINESS ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
OUR NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED
MEETING IS ON MONDAY, MAY 3rd,
2021 AT 2:00 P.M.
I HOPE THAT YOU ALL HAVE A
WONDERFUL AFTERNOON.
WE ARE ADJOURNED.